Munster's Tom Farrell up for Rugby Players Ireland away, while Dorothy Wall among women's nominees
Uncapped Munster centre Tom Farrell is among the nominees for the Rugby Players Ireland Player of the Year award.
The 31-year-old back finished the URC regular season as joint top try-scorer with nine, and topped the charts for successful carries (109) and offloads (41) as Munster claimed a place in the play-offs and secured Champions Cup rugby for next season.
Two of the other three nominees, provincial team-mate Tadhg Beirne and Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster, will go on the Lions tour this summer, while Caelan Doris, Leinster and Ireland captain, misses out on the trip due to a long-term shoulder injury.
Connacht's Bundee Aki won last year's award, which is voted on by the players.
Meanwhile, Dorothy Wall (above) has received a timely morale boost following news of a long-term injury setback, with her team-mates nominating her for the women's Player of the Year.
Wall, who will miss the World Cup with an ankle injury, is shortlisted alongside Amee-Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, and Niamh O'Dowd, each of whom played pivotal roles in a season of continued progress for the Irish women's side.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, 28 May.
Tadhg Beirne
Caelan Doris
Tom Farrell
Jamison Gibson-Park
Women's XVs Players' Player of the Year
Amee-Leigh Costigan
Aoife Dalton
Niamh O'Dowd
Dorothy Wall
Men's Sevens Player of the Year
Niall Comerford
Dylan O'Grady
Mark Roche
Women's Sevens Player of the Year
Hannah Clarke
Kate Farrell McCabe
Lucinda Kinghan
Nevin Spence Men's XVs Young Player of the Year
Ben Murphy
Gus McCarthy
Sam Prendergast
Women's XVs Young Player of the Year
Ruth Campbell
Aoife Dalton
Erin King
Men's XVs Try of the Year
Stewart Moore v Stormers
Dan Sheehan v England
Dan Sheehan v Ulster (1st try)
Women's XVs Try of the Year
Amee-Leigh Costigan v England
Linda Djougang v Wales
Anna McGann v Italy (3rd try)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
37 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'Old school, new school' – Knight leading by example for Ireland
It was almost the perfect season for Ireland midfielder Jason Knight, as the Dubliner captained Bristol City all the way to the Championship play-offs, only to fall at the Premier League's penultimate hurdle. An ever-present in the Robins' side that finished sixth in the table, Knight's club season came to a close when losing out to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals in early May. On a positive note, Knight completed the clean sweep of in-house accolades, as he was named fans, players, former players, and senior Reds' player of the year, following a commanding season leading his side from the heart of the midfield. Knight has taken a short stint away to lick his wounds, enjoy some sunshine, and report back for international duty ahead of two final fixtures, against Senegal on Friday night, followed by an away trip to Luxembourg. "We've had a really good campaign, we fell short towards the end, but a really progressive campaign for the club and for myself as well," said Knight, speaking at Tuesday's press conference. "The first season at Bristol was good, I played a lot of games and then obviously progressed this season, scored a few goals, got assists, and played a lot of games as well. "Probably went into more of a leadership kind of role, being captain. So I've enjoyed it." And Knight said that he is comfortable taking leadership whether at club or country, and feels that it has come naturally to him, as he has always looked to take responsibility on the pitch. "I've tried to do that since I've come in [to Ireland squad]," he said. "I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. "I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up, so it is time for everyone to step up, and that means senior players, and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in as well sort of get into the group and normalise around the place as well. So that's what we have to do as well. "I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that." Missing out on promotion this season, Knight's performances will certainly have gained attention from top-flight clubs, however, while the ambition remains to play Premier League football, he is not looking to force the issue at this stage of his career. "I've obviously had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol," said Knight. "I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division. "But I'm relaxed, if it's now or in the future, that will be. I've just got to keep performing well to get to that point." "Not that I've heard anyway," he added, when asked had there been any interest. "It's been a bit quiet for the last couple of weeks, just with the season ending. It's been a long season, so nothing so far." Sitting next to Knight at the press conference was Ireland assistant coach, John O'Shea, and the former Manchester United and Sunderland defender spoke highly of the midfielder and has been particularly impressed with the consistency that has come with playing every game of the season at club level. And he also spoke about the quality and leadership that comes as part of the package when Knight is involved with the national team. "There is consistency in the numbers," said O'Shea, regarding Knight. "He mentions the games that he has played and it is a case of he is naturally leading now, vocally but also performance and intensity-wise. "If we are doing a drill in training, you know if Knighty is involved in it then it is going to take care of itself and that is brilliant for a coaching staff, to have that and to see that reliability. "It's also a trust to know what he is going to produce for the team as well. He has grown into the role for club and country. "I'm sure there's lots of people looking at him and I'm sure Bristol City are very happy with him too. There's always that element of him being new school and old school, but it is a good school that he is from. Hopefully it continues." As for Knight, there is no place that he would rather be that embedded in the Ireland camp, despite the fact that he is missing out on valuable time away from the hectic schedule of the English Championship. "I could be in Albufeira, you're right," he laughed. "No, look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. "This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more."
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Rugby legend makes touching gesture to Louise Quinn following tearful Ireland star's final game before retirement
DONNCHA O'CALLAGHAN comforted Louise Quinn after she played her final game for the Republic of Ireland. The popular defender came on for Carla Ward near the end of Ireland's 2 Louise Quinn played her final game for Ireland against Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 She was comforted by Donncha O'Callaghan Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile It was her 122nd and last cap for her country, and her last game in professional soccer before retiring altogether. The tears flowed upon the final whistle at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as Quinn gave the post-match team-talk while being embraced by teammates. When she went over to the stands at the home of Present at the game was former star Donncha O'Callaghan, who made the point of sharing a moment with Quinn. Read More on Ireland WNT The legendary defender bids farewell to an international career that peaked when she starred at the 2023 And speaking to She said: "I think it will take a little bit of time but I just feel like where we have come as a team and to now, you can see that progress. "We were a nation that was really struggling and to be part of something that has built to where it is now, I am so proud. Most read in Football "To make it this far and I am still in one piece, I am pretty happy." Louise Quinn was not the only player for whom Tuesday night was an emotional occasion. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival Saoirse Noonan scored the only goal of the game as the striker achieved an unexpected feat of her own. By starting for the In 2020, she played full forward for the Rebelettes against She described it as a "surreal" occasion and revealed how much it would mean to her family. Noonan said: 'Carla called the team last night. "When I got the nod, I just told my parents and kept it a bit quiet and just tried to treat it like another game. 'The goal, when it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything. 'I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick. 'My Grandad would have been a proud man tonight, he would have been at every game with my granny, and this was the first time she's seen me play senior (for Ireland). "It was emotional and it meant a lot to me. 'Being in Cork is enough motivation in itself. Wearing the Irish jersey is enough motivation. "You don't need anything else really. It does add that little bit of grit. 'Since the new stadium's been built, I played here with the Cork ladies footballers at senior level. "To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of. "It's phenomenal.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
John O'Shea admits timing of June friendlies ‘awkward' but challenges Ireland stars to ‘show I'm needed' for World Cup
THE tone surrounding the talk about international football in June — excluding tournaments — is nobody likes it. But around 33,000 supporters and counting who have bought tickets for 2 Ireland face Senegal and Luxembourg in a pair of friendlies Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 John O'Shea challenged the players to show they are needed for the World Cup qualifiers Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Ireland's June results over the years, however, are enough reason to be wary of games being played when players could be forgiven for thinking of their summer holidays. Only recently, Shelbourne boss International Jason Knight acknowledged as much Tuesday when it was mentioned that he could be in Albufeira rather than the Aviva Stadium this week. Read More on Ireland MNT The sun is out, the English season is over and it is soon time for a holiday. At this time of year, players leaving the old Lansdowne Road or Aviva Stadium wheeling the big suitcase — the one you pack for the holiday rather than a short stay in Dublin — was a common sight. In 2009, one player even walked through a mixed zone in Bulgaria shouting, 'Vegas, Vegas', to leave onlookers in no doubt to where he was going next. It was seen as good fortune that Ireland's Most read in Football No qualifiers in June is a no-brainer. But results in June windows when nothing is at stake can be even worse. Assistant manager Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg The same opponents walloped Ireland 5-1 in New Jersey as they prepared for the 2014 World Cup. Friendly wins are like hens' teeth in June, with landmarks rather than performances making them memorable. O'Shea's 118th and final cap came against the That was also a rarity for O'Shea who was so often excused from the summer action when there were no qualifiers. Earlier in his career, Steve Staunton felt he knew enough about the serial The 2007 summer tour of the USA was made up of a squad of players who often show up in 'Where are they now?' features. As O'Shea got older, he was given time off to put his feet up as Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin O'Neill looked at other options. Still, the Ireland centurion was often back in the side when the real games started. But O'Shea insisted he and boss Those in the He said: 'It's awkward in the sense of the timing, it's different in the feeling of if these were qualifiers, the whole kind of reaction around it. 'But you have to build into what it can lead to in qualifying for tournaments. 'I think that has to outweigh any kind of . . . could be on holiday somewhere, could be away somewhere or whatever it might be. 'But I think the bigger goal of qualifying for the World Cup in America, 'If we get players to have an impact this week in the friendlies that suddenly help us qualify or score a goal to qualify us for the World Cup, I think you'll say it was definitely worthwhile.' KNIGHT & DAY It is why Knight — who was only included because his Championship season was extended by The 24-year-old said: 'I could be in Albufeira, you're right! Look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are like gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. 'This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more.' His assistant boss O'Shea continued: 'It's representing your country at senior level, the highest level, and that's what you have to have in the background. 'And ultimately it's for the coaching staff, for us as a staff to have the time with the players to kind of get to increase the relationship with the players, increase the bond with the players, to introduce one or two new players, all those little factors. 'That brings a freshness into the lads that have been here a good while as well. We need that kind of freshness, but also increased competition. 'And I think it's up to the lads that are here now to show, 'Right, I'm in, I'm getting a chance, I'm involved, I need to stay here, I need to prove I can be needed here'. 'And I think that's the key element, increase that competition and then we get increased levels of performance. 'The lads that are having a rest as such from what the manager has spoken about, they will be thinking, 'I wonder how the other lads might get on'. That's what we need.'
